WCCW- February 5, 1983
by erick von erich
World Class Championship Wrestling is on the air! This month in the WWE 24/7 studio, Kevin Von Erich and Michael Hayes discuss David Von Erich's recent sojourn to Florida. Apparently, David was upset with big daddy Fritz and left for about a month. Kevin called up each side and coaxed them into making amends, without either side saying they were sorry. As a result, David returned to World Class, as we'll see in this episode.
Bill Mercer kicks off the show and announces some of the bouts we'll be seeing. In addition to David's return, we'll also have a special interview with the Fabulous Freebirds. Plus, Ric Flair will soon be returning to Texas to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but no top contender has been named, yet. But with so much going on in World Class Championship Wrestling, let's get down to ringside for...
Match 1: David Von Erich vs. Checkmate (w/Arman Hussein)
Checkmate has a more conventional mask this week, not his usual "tiger"
shroud. David's announced as hailing from "Lake Dallas, TX". I only mention
this because I haven't been paying attention to the Von Erichs' hometown, so far.
I remembered them being from "Denton County, TX" so I'll start paying attention.
David starts with two heavy armdrags and Checkmate bails. They trade armbars
until David takes Checkmate to the canvas. Checkmate counters with a headscissors
and they both break. David whips Checkmate for a backdrop and a drop-kick
to send him out of the ring. Notalbe production note, as they show
an in-match "instant replay" of the moves. Checkmate returns with a single-leg takedown
and works a toehold. David goes for the mask and Checkers bails again. He returns to work
on David's leg again, but is kicked into the turnbuckle. David threatens the CLAW,
but chops away and whips Checkers in for a charging knee that scores a 2 count.
Checkmate tries running the ropes, but runs right into a sleeperhold.
David cranks away and gets the submission win.
A Very Special Pre-Recorded Interview with The Fabulous Freebirds
The 'Birds invited Mercer out for lunch...so he's been told to meet them at
Mr. Hamburger! A drive-in burger joint, like an old A&W, or a modern Sonic for
you whipper-snappers. The 'Birds are all in their van (listening to Prince's
"1999") and offer Mercer a pack of
ketchup. Terry Gordy brags about how he'll win the American Title, then roll on
to the NWA World Title. Mercer brings up the issue of David Von Erich and how
he helped the 'Birds win the 6-Man title. They're suddenly pissed and drive away...
stiffing Mercer with the bill! Great stuff.
Match 2: Brian Adias vs. Tola Yatsu (w/Arman Hussein)
Yatsu does some martial arts warm-up techniques as the bell sounds. Mercer sells Yatsu by
mentioning that he beat the Great Kabuki, several times in Japan. Like I've said before, Mercer doesn't
have an energetic voice, but he works in pertinent info and helps to tell the stories. Match begins
with Adias hitting some armdrags. Yatsu counters with a monkeyflip, but Adias lands on his feet and
responds with..you guessed it... a DROP-KICK. Yatsu gets a bearhug and works it into an
nastyoverhead belly-to-belly suplex for a 2 count. Yatsu then works Adias' neck with a series of
chops and a reverse crescent kick. Adias is pummeled and the crowd feels compelled to do
the "Go, Brian, Go" chant. Adias finally comes back with...yup... a DROP-KICK and..whoa.. a swinging
neckbreaker. They brawl and Yatsu hits a wicked powerslam, then slaps on the cobra clutch.
Instead of a submission, he takes Adias to the mat and pins him. Yatsu gets up and politely
bows over the prone Adias. Merccer screws up by calling this "a successul debut for Tola Yatsu".
A Very Special Pre-Recorded Ringside Interview with Kevin Von Erich
Kevin talks about his upcoming American Heavyweight Title defense agains Terry Gordy.
He threatens to put him in an ambulance and says that he'll "kick his fanny"! Whoa there,
tiger... kick his fanny?! Wow, them's fightin' words!
Match 3: American Heavyweight Championship:
Kevin Von Erich (c) (w/David Von Erich) vs. Terry Gordy
Gordy stalls entering the ring and is on the defensive for the first few minutes. Kevin tosses him
to the corner, where Gordy over-sells and flips out of the ring (a la Curt Hennig). He's up on the apron,
when Kevin attacks with a flying head-scissors to bring him back in. Gordy comes back with an
irish-whip ino a slam. Kevin counters with his own slam to send Gordy out of the ring again.
Crowd is fired up and begins chanting "go home, Freebird!" Well, I think he might've been
living in Texas, at the time. Kevin slows things down with a headlock and takes Gordy to the mat.
Gordy rolls him over for a quick 1 count. Gordy fights his way out and press-slams
Kevin onto the top rope, twice. Kevin rolls out to the aprong, but Gordy suplexes him back in for
a 2 count. Gordy clamps on a reverse chinlock, which is always the cue for the Sportatorium
crowd to chant "Go, Kevin, Go!" Kevin fights out and comes off the ropes with a flying bodypress
for 2. Gordy goes back to the resthold, while Buddy Roberts slowly creeps down the aisle. David Von Erich
runs over to prevent Roberts from interferring. Michael Hayes then saunters down to ringside, and you
KNOW something's up. Meanwhile, Kevin fights out of Gordy's chinlock, whips him to the ropes,
leapfrogs over him, then cinches the CLAW! Roberts jumps up on the apron, so Kevin tosses
Gordy into him. Gordy is wobbly, so Kevin whips him to the turnbuckle, then tries a slam.
Hayes reaches in, hooks Kevin's leg and trips him up. Gordy falls on
top and the ref counts 3, as we have a NEW American Heavyweight Champion!
After a commercial break, Mercer is at his stuido desk, joined by the Freebirds and the Georgia flag. Due to his title victory, Terry Gordy will now get the shot at Ric Flair! The 'Birds show off their 6-man belts and announce their plans to acquire all the gold in World Class. Wow...someone alert The Great Kabuki, Checkmate and Jose Lothario that their "titles" are in danger!
Why'd You Tape This??
As the show concludes, tempers once again flare in the 24/7 studios between Kevin Von Erich and Michael Hayes.
Kevin slaps Hayes and they do a staredown. They agree to a fight... but Hayes says he has to go
to the bathroom and leaves. These little post and pre-episodes kayfabe confrontations are kinda' fun.
Much better than the worthless babble-fests that Joey Styles and Tazz ramble on about during
"The History of ECW".
The show itself is another worthy installment. The Freebird push continues as they get the spotlight with the title win and the Interview at Mr. Hamburger. The fans are really getting pissed off at the Freebirds arrogance and title acquisitions. What's worse, is that Gordy is now getting a title shot at Flair... a shot that should've gone to Kerry Von Erich. The bookers definitely knew how to rile the fans up.
Boom-da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom
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